New Front Shock Mount Not Wide Enough?

[oscarsnapkin]

As mentioned in a previous post, I’ve recently returned to working on my Thing after a long hiatus. I went to mount the front shocks today, but I noticed that the lower mount on the new shocks (KYB I believe) is not as wide as the shocks that I removed. Is this a problem? I have some spacers that I apparently bought, although I’m not sure if they are for front or back, not to mention, they are much too thick. Am I OK with this narrower mount? It seems like it would allow too much play. The other thing I noticed is that the shocks appear much too short and do not reach the top of the shock tower. Apparently there is a rubber bump/stop that needs to be purchased separately??

Does this rear top mount look correct?

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- 1977 CEI Sunroof Bus 2.0L F.I. Hydraulic Lifters
- 1973 Thing

"It’s so easy to laugh, it’s so easy to hate, it takes strength to be gentle and kind."

[wbailey2112]

You need a pair of the front shock mounting kits: https://www2.cip1.com/c24-131-498-441/

This particular kit is nice since it also includes the dust covers (most kits do not) along with the necessary bump stop, bushing, lock nut etc. Keep in mind that you may still need to jack up the front end a bit to raise the shock up enough to get the top nut on the shock.

As for your issue with the mounting sleeve being too narrow, I'm not sure what kind of shocks you purchased but those look very undersized compared to the Bilsteins that I installed on my Thing.
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'74 Thing
'83 Westfalia

[74 Thing]

You do not need that mounting kit referenced above if you have KYB shocks.

The rear shock looks fine.

For your fronts you are going to need some spacers that are half the length that you currently have. Go to the hardware store or grind yours down. You will see when you put them on your lower mounting stud on the front that you need spacers so the nut and washer compress against something.